The 'brains' and 'action' heavies who had meaty roles and lots of dialog ... and the players who were fathers, ranch owners, lawman, mayors, judges, lawyers, storekeepers, newspaper editors, wardens, etc. |
Roy Barcroft Real name: Howard Harold Ravenscroft (not Howard Clifford Ravenscroft) 1902 - 1969 |
Roy's parents were William and Lillian Ravenscroft and father William was a farmer and later, a medicine salesman. According to Roy's World War II draft registration, he was born September 7, 1902 in Crab Orchard, Nebraska and the family resided in Crab Orchard at the time of the 1900 census. But some bios have him born in Weeping Water, Nebraska. The communities are close - about fifty miles separates Crab Orchard and Weeping Water. The Ravenscrofts moved around - a lot. In the 1910 census, they're in Auburn, Nemaha County, Nebraska which is about 35 miles from Crab Orchard. In 1916 and 1917, Roy attended school in Gage, Ellis County, Oklahoma. And in 1920, the family is in Seattle, Washington and Roy is a carpenter helper. While in Seattle in 1920, Roy applied for a Seaman's Certificate from the Department of Commerce. Barcroft biographies have him fibbing about his age and enlisting in the Army during World War I. And he was wounded in France, sent home, and discharged. There was also a second hitch in the Army circa 1923 - 1926 with service in Hawaii and Fort Lewis, Washington. Ancestry.com and Fold3 Military records have some military transport / ship passenger lists and confirm his Army service in 1918 - 1919 ... and he and his unit did sail to France. Roy enlisted again circa 1923 - 1926 and served in Hawaii. Was unable to confirm that he was wounded while stationed in France during World War I. His military background is confusing since Roy self reported that he was NOT a veteran in the 1930 census - guessing that's an error by the census taker. He married Lela Wade in 1927 in Seattle, Washington and daughter Roberta Jean Ravenscroft was born in Oregon in 1928. In the 1930 census, the family was living in Oak Park, Cook County, Illinois and Roy was an automobile salesman. With the Depression in full swing, the family moved to sunny and warm California and son Rockne Francis Ravenscroft was born in 1931. Scuttlebutt is that Roy attended acting school to gain confidence and speaking skills. And he may have been employed as extras in Greta Garbo's MATA HARI (MGM, 1931) and Pola Negri's A WOMAN COMMANDS (RKO, 1932). There was a divorce and another marriage. Circa 1932, Roy tied the knot with Vera Virginia Doris Thompson and son Michael Roy Ravenscroft was born in 1944. In 1936, Barcroft was in his mid thirties and began his movie career, freelancing wherever he could find work and a payday. His initial screen appearances were uncredited parts in serials DICK TRACY (Republic, 1937) and SOS COAST GUARD (Republic, 1937). Early billed roles include the Johnny Mack Brown chapterplay FLAMING FRONTIERS (Universal, 1938) and his first western for Republic Pictures, the Three Mesquiteers' HEROES OF THE HILLS (Republic, 1938). There were lots more cowboy adventures for various production companies including Hopalong Cassidy, Renfrew of the Mounted, Monogram's Rough Riders, pre-World War II Tim Holts at RKO, others. He appeared in eight of the Hopalong Cassidy series and Barcroft is a real nasty in RENEGADE TRAIL (Paramount, 1939). He plays the suit-wearing villain "Stiff-Hat Bailey", and about eleven minutes into this Hoppy adventure, Roy slaps youngster Sonny Bupp and kicks Sonny's dog. It was with Republic Pictures in the 1940s that Barcroft "hit his stride", portraying the brains / dress heavy or second in command in scores of westerns. While he menaced all of Republic's heroes, he was a frequent antagonist to Allan Lane (in 40 films), Roy Rogers (22 films), Bill Elliott (17 films), Monte Hale (13 films), and Rex Allen (11 films). He also appeared in many Republic cliffhangers - memorable examples include him as the titled villain in THE PURPLE MONSTER STRIKES (Republic, 1945); as evil "Captain Mephisto" in MANHUNT OF MYSTERY ISLAND (Republic, 1945); and as "Retik" in RADAR MEN FROM THE MOON (Republic, 1952). He was an imposing figure with a big voice - 6 feet, 2 inches tall and 215 pounds per his World War II draft registration. And when I saw him on a theater screen or TV, I wondered how smaller heroes could best this large sized villain. As the B western and serial faded away, Roy migrated to television, and in the 1950s and 1960s, he's in many episodes of DEATH VALLEY DAYS, RAWHIDE, HAVE GUN - WILL TRAVEL, 26 MEN, ANNIE OAKLEY, more. In the mid 1950s SPIN AND MARTY western ranch series on TV's Mickey Mouse Club, Roy played "Colonel Jim Logan", the good guy owner of the Triple-R spread. And beginning in 1964, he had a recurring role as "storekeeper Roy" on TV's GUNSMOKE. He also pops up in some A grade films - an example is Roy wearing a black suit, hat, string tie, and badge as "Marshal Cord Elam" in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical OKLAHOMA (20th Century Fox, 1955) which starred Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones. Found an interesting tradepaper blurb on Roy and OKLAHOMA: the world premier was at the Tivoli theater in New York City in late 1955. Emceeing the opening night gala and ceremonies was Barcroft. People with whom he worked noted that Roy's real personality was just the opposite of his screen persona - in real life, he was easy going, a prankster, and a genuine nice guy. Heroine Peggy Stewart appeared in over a dozen films with Roy and described him as a "wonderful man". Peers and friends recall him as a talented musician, playing both clarinet and saxophone. His close friends included Kenne Duncan and Bill Elliott. Roy loved riding his motorcycle which he often drove to the Republic Studios lot. And Barcroft always credited baddie Harry Woods as his inspiration. Film historian, author, and Old Corral contributor Ken Jones interviewed him. Roy's favorite role was playing "Captain Mephisto" in MANHUNT OF MYSTERY ISLAND (Republic, 1945). And he wasn't a great horseman and had to enhance his riding skills in order to survive the dangerous chases. Some biographies incorrectly report that Roy's real name was Howard Clifford Ravenscroft. Various records show his full name as Howard Harold Ravenscroft / Howard H. Ravenscroft. Roy passed away November 28, 1969 at the Motion Picture Home and Hospital of kidney cancer and was survived by his second wife Vera, two sons, and a daughter. His remains were given to the UCLA School of Medicine and Anatomy for research. As to his Barcroft screen name - Ravenscroft was too difficult to spell and remember, especially when dealing with casting calls and casting offices. He kept "croft" and settled on "Bar" for the beginning. His rationale - "Barcroft" would get him near the top of casting lists for extra and character jobs. Of all the players in westerns and cliffhangers, most fans fondly recall Roy Barcroft and consider him as the "King of the badmen". He was so good that his screen presence was often more dominant - and memorable - than the hero. |
Roy Barcroft's's movie work from the mid 1930s through 1970 in westerns, serials, and other films. Does NOT include TV roles. I've used the RELEASE dates (not filming dates) from the Internet Movie Database so the results may be a little skewed. Red indicates the years in which Barcroft was under term player contracts at Republic Pictures. Total film count in this chart = 296. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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1936 | 1937 | 1938 | 1939 | 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949 | 1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958- 1970 |
Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Roy Barcroft: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0054117/
Lengthy article about Roy Barcroft and ties to Crab Orchard and Weeping Water, Nebraska in the March, 2000 issue of the Plattsmouth, Nebraska Journal newspaper. Includes remembrances from family members: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76392639/the-plattsmouth-journal/ There's a lengthy biography and lots of photos of Roy Barcroft in cliffhangers at Daniel Neyer's "The Files of Jerry Blake" serial website: https://filesofjerryblake.com/serial-villains/roy-barcroft/
Mickey Mouse Club TV program website had images and info about Barcroft and the SPIN AND MARTY TV series. But the website was no longer working when I checked in 2023: http://www.originalmmc.com/barcroft.html The Family Search website (free), Ancestry.com (subscription), Fold3 Military records, California Death Index, and Social Security Death Index (SSDI) provide additional information on Roy Barcroft and family. I've highlighted Howard Harold Ravenscroft / Howard H. Ravenscroft names in this color.
Roy's military records from 1918 - 1919 and 1923 - 1926:
Roy's two wives and three children:
Noted singer and voice actor Thurl Ravenscroft is sometimes mentioned as the brother of Roy Barcroft. Not so! Thurl and Roy were cousins. Thurl did lots of voice work and is best remembered for mouthing Tony the Tiger's "They're grrreat!" in Kellogg's Frosted Flakes commercials. He was born in Nebraska in 1914 to Arthur and Blanche Ravenscroft: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XQ23-237 |
(Courtesy of Gregory R. Jackson, Jr.) | (Courtesy of Gregory R. Jackson, Jr.) | |
Above is a very grey and bearded Roy Barcroft, 1960s photo. |
(From Old Corral collection) | From July, 1943 through July, 1953, Roy Barcroft was under a term player contract(s) at Republic Pictures. During that period, he had several meaty cliffhanger roles - Roy was the titled villain in THE PURPLE MONSTER STRIKES (Republic, 1945); the evil "Captain Mephisto" in MANHUNT OF MYSTERY ISLAND (Republic, 1945); and "Retik" in RADAR MEN FROM THE MOON (Republic, 1952). Roy's favorite role was playing "Captain Mephisto" in MANHUNT OF MYSTERY ISLAND (Republic, 1945). In this poster, ol' Roy has a mustache, goatee, and a couple pistols in that "Captain Mephisto" role. |
(Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from L-to-R are Jean Carmen, James Newill, Milburn Stone, and Roy Barcroft in a scene from CRASHING THROUGH (Monogram, 1939), one of the 'Renfrew of the Mounted' northwoods adventures. On the stairs - and about to deliver a crushin' blow to Jim Newill's noggin - is Iron Eyes Cody. Jean Carmen's most remembered role was as the rider of the paint horse in the Republic serial, THE PAINTED STALLION (1937), in which she was billed as Julia Thayer. In later life, Milburn Stone became 'Doc' on TV's long running GUNSMOKE. (Courtesy of Bart Romans) Above from L-to-R are Roy Barcroft, Ray 'Crash' Corrigan, Le Roy Mason, Max Terhune and Bob Livingston in a still from the Three Mesquiteers' HEROES OF THE HILLS (Republic, 1938). Roy got billing credit in this ... and HEROES was his first western for Republic Pictures. (Courtesy of Minard Coons) Above - Hopalong Cassidy has the drop on three nasties. From left to right are John Merton, Roy Barcroft, Bob Kortman and William Boyd in a still from RENEGADE TRAIL (Harry Sherman Prod/Paramount, 1939). This has Roy at his meanest - he kicks a dog and slaps around youngster Sonny Bupp. (From Old Corral collection) Above - two of western film's greatest bad guys, Roy Barcroft (left with white hat) and Harry Woods (wearing a suit), listen in as Buck Jones chats with Tim McCoy in WEST OF THE LAW (Monogram, 1942), the last of the eight Rough Riders adventures. (From Old Corral collection) Above from L-to-R are Bill Elliott, George 'Slim' Summerville, Roy Barcroft, and Robert Fiske in a scene from Elliott's third (and last) serial, THE VALLEY OF VANISHING MEN (Columbia, 1942). A year or so later, both Elliott and Barcroft would be under contract at Republic Pictures. (From Old Corral collection) From L-to-R are Robert 'Bobby' Blake (as 'Little Beaver'), Roy Barcroft, Jack Kirk, Tom London and Bill Elliott in a lobby card from CHEYENNE WILDCAT (Republic, 1944), one of the Red Ryder adventures. (Courtesy of Boyd Magers) Above from left to right are Douglas Fowley, Emmett Vogan, Roy Rogers and Roy Barcroft in a 1954 blue duotone re-release lobby card from ALONG THE NAVAJO TRAIL (Republic, 1945). Fowley and Barcroft report to Vogan who is the president of an oil drilling company that needs Dale Evans' ranch for a pipeline. (From Old Corral collection) Above is the treacherous trio from the serial DON DAREDEVIL RIDES AGAIN (Republic, 1951). From L-to-R are Lane Bradford (John Merton's son), Roy Barcroft and left handed John (Bob) Cason. |